In 1978 Michael Gennaro asked me and my sister Carol if we would like to work on an event he was producing. We, of course, said yes. This was a huge event that was going to have many celebrities and it was going to be performed at the Shubert Theater where A Chorus Line was currently playing.

Neither Carol or I had ever worked in a Broadway theater yet and it was pretty awing to know that we would be doing our first one together and at the Shubert Theater.

It was the 50th Anniversary of The Neighborhood Playhouse. It is one of the most prestigious acting schools in the city. There were going to be lots of speaking tributes and reminiscences from alumni. And a few performances, and performances meant rehearsals. One of the performances was going to be a tap dance with Zoe Caldwell and Maureen Stapleton, choreographed by Peter Gennaro. I got to be the stage manager covering these rehearsals. How amazing is that? The two women were delightful to work with and there was lots of laughter as well as hard work.

The day of the event we moved into the theater. I am going to be calling the whole show. BUT I have been an off-Broadway stage manager not a Broadway stage manager. Off-Broadway we usually call the show from the front of the house in a booth. On Broadway, the stage manager calls from the side of the stage at a calling desk. I asked to go to a booth in the front of the house. Well, the only front of house booth is waaaay up in the back of the theater where the follow spots are. So there I am, calling my first show on Broadway from way up there. It was really a very simple show to call there was a podium and some other speakers AND THEN there was the tap number.

Maureen and Zoe were in similar simple pastel satin gowns. They entered from opposite sides of the stage. Very prim and proper. They bow to each other and then turn and bow to the audience. Then I call lights and mirrors GO. The stage turns bright, the Chorus Line mirrors turn around and the ladies lift their gowns, AND music GO. They swing into a raucous tap dance. The audience goes wild. AND I have one of the best theater stories to tell my friends.